So we could imagine encountering being a handful of sympathizers
among them.

But we were surprised to find the lengths to which a man
identifying himself as a representative for Greece's mainstream
New Democracy party went to explain the appeal of a party many
describe as neo-Nazi.

Petros Galatoulas is also the general secretary of the
Federation of the Hellenic Societies in Greater New York, which
is based out of the cultural center.

Behind the 57-year-old's desk are photos of himself with
former Chicagoy Mayor Richard M. Daley (that's the younger one)
and other dignitaries.

Although his English is solid, he wanted me to make sure I
was absolutely clear on what he was saying, so he phoned up
friend and Federation member Francis Papadopoulos to translate
for him.

I asked him how a neo-Nazi party could possibly have any
support in Greece, especially given that in less than 24 hours
after my visit, the Federation would be celebrating "Oxi Day,"
which marks Greece's refusal to allow Axis powers to occupy their
country.

"I am against them — we don't support them," he said. "I
don't like this [Nazi imitation]. It's five or six people, crazy
people."

However, he indicated Golden Dawn had sympathy throughout
Greece.

In many regions, the party has become a sort of defacto
police force as actual law enforcement, who've been victims of
austerity cuts.

"People didn't know where else to turn," he said.

Both Galatoulas and Papadopoulos also said that immigration was a
serious problem, with foreign nationals exacerbating the
country's labor problem by taking jobs and undercutting wages.

"It's the same system in America: if they are illegal they need
to be deported," Papadopolous said.

It was clear Golden Dawn remains an extremely controversial
subject — the tension in the room immediately increased as soon
as I brought up the subject. Galatoulas never
addressed the initial rumor about the fundraiser.